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US Democrat Chuck Schumer says he will oppose Iran nuclear deal US Democrat Chuck Schumer says he will oppose Iran nuclear deal
(about 2 hours later)
The Democratic US senator Chuck Schumer of New York said on Thursday he had decided to oppose the nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration. A key Democratic US senator, Chuck Schumer of New York, said on Thursday he had decided to oppose the nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration.
“To me, the very real risk that Iran will not moderate and will, instead, use the agreement to pursue its nefarious goals is too great,” Schumer said in a statement. “To me, the very real risk that Iran will not moderate and will, instead, use the agreement to pursue its nefarious goals is too great,” Schumer – the first Senate Democrat to announce his opposition to the agreement – said in a statement.
Related: Iran nuclear deal: the winners and losers
Barack Obama now faces a fresh chapter in what may prove the most intensive legislative battle of his presidency, having earlier attacked not just the arguments against the deal, but the credibility of the hawks making them.Barack Obama now faces a fresh chapter in what may prove the most intensive legislative battle of his presidency, having earlier attacked not just the arguments against the deal, but the credibility of the hawks making them.
Despite Schumer’s announcement, the senator gave credit to Obama and the secretary of state, John Kerry, for pushing Iran to come to an agreement. Schumer is currently the number three Democrat in the Senate and is in line to succeed Harry Reid as the party’s leader in the chamber when Reid retires in early 2017. His views were echoed by Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, who said he would also oppose the nuclear pact.
Congress has until 17 September to consider a resolution of disapproval of the Iran deal, which would eliminate Obama’s ability to waive all sanctions on Iran, a key component of the agreement.
Lawmakers will begin debating whether to reject the deal when they return from their August recess on 8 September. Obama has promised a veto if the resolution is passed by the House and Senate.
Despite his announcement, Schumer gave credit to Obama and the secretary of state, John Kerry, for pushing Iran to come to an agreement.
“All fair-minded Americans should acknowledge the president’s strong achievements in combatting and containing Iran,” Schumer said.“All fair-minded Americans should acknowledge the president’s strong achievements in combatting and containing Iran,” Schumer said.
In making my decision, he said he examined this deal in three parts: nuclear restrictions on Iran in the first 10 years, nuclear restrictions on Iran after 10 years, and non-nuclear components and consequences of a deal. “In each case I have asked: are we better off with the agreement or without it?” he said. In making his decision, he said, he examined the deal in three parts: nuclear restrictions on Iran in the first 10 years, restrictions after 10 years, and non-nuclear components and consequences of a deal. “In each case I have asked: are we better off with the agreement or without it?” he said.
Schumer said a 24-day delay before any inspection could be held and the fact that the US could not demand inspections unilaterally – instead requiring a vote – were a concern. Related: Eighteen days in Vienna: how the Iran nuclear deal was done
Schumer said a 24-day delay before any inspection of nuclear sites could be held and the fact that the US could not demand inspections unilaterally – instead requiring a vote – were a concern.
“It is reasonable to fear that, once the Europeans become entangled in lucrative economic relations with Iran, they may well be inclined not to rock the boat by voting to allow inspections,” he said.“It is reasonable to fear that, once the Europeans become entangled in lucrative economic relations with Iran, they may well be inclined not to rock the boat by voting to allow inspections,” he said.
“Therefore, I will vote to disapprove the agreement, not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option, nor to challenge the path of diplomacy,” he said. “Better to keep US sanctions in place, strengthen them, enforce secondary sanctions on other nations, and pursue the hard-trodden path of diplomacy once more, difficult as it may be.”“Therefore, I will vote to disapprove the agreement, not because I believe war is a viable or desirable option, nor to challenge the path of diplomacy,” he said. “Better to keep US sanctions in place, strengthen them, enforce secondary sanctions on other nations, and pursue the hard-trodden path of diplomacy once more, difficult as it may be.”
The White House had no immediate comment on Schumer’s announcement.
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report